ANZAC Day After being locked down and locked out in 2020, ANZAC Day was back as big as ever – or bigger – in towns and cities all around Australia in 2021. With COVID restrictions all-but lifted nation wide (with a few notable exceptions), veterans and supporters were out in droves to mark that most special day of the year for those who have served in our nation’s defence and those who are grateful for their sacrifice. As many as 20,000 current-serving ADF personnel were out in uniform supporting vigils and ceremonies big and small with Defence members taking part in commemorations in communities to which they feel a strong connection – the place they think of as home, the community they currently serve in or communities they bonded with during recent emergencies. About 130 officers and soldiers travelled back to communities they assisted during Operation Bushfire Assist 2019-20, such as Eden on the NSW south coast, Mallacoota in Victoria and Kangaroo Island off South Australia. Commander Forces Command Major General Matt Pearse said it was important for soldiers to preserve the 36
photos by Christabel Migliorini
Tradition reborn 2021
connections they built in some of the worst fire-affected areas. “As the COVID-19 restrictions eased, this was an opportunity to strengthen Army’s commitment and contribution to our community,” he said. “Many of those communities asked us to make a particular effort to get our people back so the community could show their appreciation for the work they did.” Troops from brigades, training centres and units in Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide and Sydney gladly participated. “While we’re always working hard to connect with everyone who lives nearby, there is of course often another place we think of as home, or where we have a deep connection with a community that time and distance cannot erode,” Major General Pearse said. “As we get back to our core business of training for war, it’s good for us to pause and gather with the communities we are from, and where we have served during these extraordinary times. “It’s an opportunity to return, reunite and remember.”
Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said this ANZAC Day, tens of thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel provided ceremonial support to regional towns, schools, veteran and community groups, local memorials and aged care facilities. “The ability to gather in person to honour our service men and women is a welcome return,” Mr Chester said. “I am proud of all personnel who played a part in services across the country.” ADF support ranged from catafalque parties and marching contingents to musicians, wreath layers and guest speakers. Major David Coleman, 1st Armoured Regiment, who travelled to Kangaroo Island said the return involved unexpected moments for members. “The first thing we saw was how the resilience of the locals had transformed the tragedy of last year into a sense of optimism this year,” Major Coleman said. “Then, as we walked through the streets, we had people come up to our soldiers and thank us – people we didn’t personally know, but who knew about us and knew what we had done.
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